Siren

Chapter 7 - Farewell, Serencove

The next morning dawned bright and clear, a stark contrast to the tempest of the day before. As Marina began packing her bags in her room, she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," Marina said.

The door creaked open, and her parents, Thomas and Elena, stepped inside, each carrying a small, well-wrapped package tied neatly with a sea-blue ribbon. Their faces were a mixture of concern and pride.

"Good morning, dear," Elena said, her voice warm but carrying an undercurrent of emotion. She moved closer to Marina, holding out the package. "We brought you something to take with you."

Thomas, standing a bit back, added, "It's just a little something to keep you safe and remind you of home."

Marina took the packages, her fingers trembling slightly as she untied the sea-blue ribbons. The first, from her mother, contained a small pearl locket. She opened it and inside was a picture of all three of them when she was just a child. The second package, from her father, contained an old but well-maintained compass engraved with an "M."

Tears welled up in Marina's eyes as she looked from the gifts to her parents. Her heart ached with the realisation of how much they were letting her go. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "These mean so much to me."

She fastened the locket around her neck, feeling its weight as it settled against her skin, and tucked the compass into her pocket, its familiar ticking comforting in her hand.

"We know you'll do great things out there," Thomas said, stepping forward to pull her into a tight hug. Elena joined in, and the small family embraced, sharing a moment of quiet strength and love.

After bidding a temporary goodbye to her parents, Marina made her way through the bustling village square. It was more crowded than usual for this time of day. News of Marina's impending departure had spread, and as she approached, her heart swelled at the sight of familiar faces gathered to wish her well.

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, old Mr. Jenkins, the village baker, pushed his way through, a basket of freshly baked bread under his arm. "For the journey," he said gruffly, his eyes betraying his fondness for Marina. She gratefully accepted, knowing the familiar taste of home would be a comfort at sea.

Next came Mrs. Alder, her former schoolteacher, with a stack of books. "To feed your mind as you sail the unknown," Mrs. Alder explained with a wise nod. Each book was carefully chosen to inspire courage and curiosity, traits she had always encouraged in Marina.

Younger children, who admired Marina for her kind spirit, handed her small, hand-drawn maps of imagined lands. They made her promise to find these fantastical places, and she knelt to hug each one, promising to tell them all her stories when she returned.

"Your village holds you with such high regard," Sam said, walking up beside her. His warm smile softened the sadness in Marina's heart.

Marina smiled back at Sam, her eyes sparkling with slight sadness. "It's hard to leave," she admitted, "but knowing I have so many people here who believe in me... it makes leaving a bit easier."

Sam nodded, his own smile broadening. "You're destined for great things, Marina. You need this journey... You may even learn some new things about yourself."

Sam's words hung in the air, carrying the weight of truth and expectation. Marina looked out over the heads of the villagers, her gaze settling on the horizon beyond.

"You're right, Sam," she murmured, her chest tight with mixed emotions. "And while I know this journey will test me, I'm curious to see who I'll be when I return." She sighed heavily. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."